About » Mission & History

Mission & History

The ACLU of Oklahoma is an affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union, a national not-for-profit, non-partisan, voluntary organization founded in 1920. Its purpose is to protect those rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights such as freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, freedom to petition the government for a redress of grievances, freedom of association, the right to privacy, the right to due process of law and the right to equal protection under the law.

The Oklahoma affiliate was established in 1964 and opened its first headquarters in 1973.

The ACLU of Oklahoma receives thousands of requests per year for legal assistance, legislative information, news media interviews, speakers and educational materials.

The ACLU of Oklahoma has a proud history of advocating in Oklahoma for the rights of institutionalized persons; educators; students; persons who speak out against governmental abuse; women; and minorities of religious, ethnic or racial character.

ACLU of Oklahoma works closely with its national headquarters in New York, its national lobbying office in Washington, D.C. and 50 other affiliates across the country. It also works in coalition with many other organizations to improve the quality of life for all by preserving freedom.